The couple with their five kids, Peter, Esther, Lucy, Oliver and Jonathan. Photo \/ Erin Combrinck Photography<\/p>\n
And for her second wedding, held on the deck of Number 5 Cafe, every decision was a celebration of an unexpected partnership that has joined two families \u2013 both a fresh start, and a way to acknowledge the deep generosity of a community who has wrapped around her, held her and supported her during some very dark days.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kept the focus very much around the fact that this is a new chapter and a new story, rather than looking back on the past,\u201d says Joanne, 39.<\/p>\n
Brett was present in small, meaningful ways \u2013 in Joanne\u2019s veil, the very same piece she had worn to marry Brett; in the merging of her surname to Temperton-Wills; and, of course, in their five excitable kids, who were dressed in matching outfits to proudly witness the marriage of their mum to \u201cDaddy Two\u201d, the term they use to describe Paul.<\/p>\n
Joanne’s five kids were dressed in matching outfits for the wedding. Photo \/ Erin Combrinck Photography<\/p>\n
The couple chose an ocean theme to reflect who they are. Paul has spent years spearfishing and free-diving, while Joanne grew up sailing and has volunteered for the Hawke\u2019s Bay Coastguard.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe untamed nature of the ocean is something we both find revitalising,\u201d explains Paul, who proposed to Joanne on Napier\u2019s Bay View beach.<\/p>\n
That theme ran through every detail of the day. Driftwood and shells collected from around the region decorated the tables. The wedding cake, made by Joanne\u2019s friend Sarah Nunez of Smiley Bakes, featured ocean-inspired blue frosting over a vanilla sponge. Dried flowers added to the rustic, seaside aesthetic and even the rings, crafted by Napier jeweller Mike Millett, were carried to the bride and groom inside a little wooden boat by Peter \u2013 a detail he\u2019d suggested.<\/p>\n
In fact, it was the kids who led the procession into the venue \u2013 well, most of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was quite impressed,\u201d laughs Joanne. \u201cI managed to get four out of five to walk down the aisle. Jonathan didn\u2019t make it \u2013 he bumped into a pole and wasn\u2019t in the mood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Preceded by her bridesmaids, school friend Nicola Higginson and the children\u2019s nanny Lucy Balchin, Joanne turned the corner on to the verandah and Paul caught his first glimpse of his wife-to-be.<\/p>\n
Joanne and Paul. Photo \/ Erin Combrinck Photography<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a wave of emotion \u2013 a really magical moment,\u201d he recalls. \u201cJoanne looked so beautiful. She was perfect and the dress was stunning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their church pastor from Village Baptist, Cameron Jones, officiated the traditional ceremony, punctuated by the occasional interruption of kids chatting \u201cand the pop-pop-pop of them opening their chippie packets\u201d, smiles Paul.<\/p>\n
Peter, in fact, had already made his mark on the day before it even began. The night before the wedding, as Paul wrote out notes for his speech, Peter wandered in and asked, \u201cWhat are you doing, Daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n
When Paul explained, Peter had immediate advice. \u201cYou need to start with a W,\u201d he declared. \u201cW for welcome. Say, \u2018Welcome to our wedding,\u2019 and then you need to say, \u2018If you have an invite, you can stay, but if you do not have an invite, you need to go.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul laughs, \u201cSo I used it \u2013 it was the perfect start to my speech!\u201d<\/p>\n
Two of Paul\u2019s three adult kids were also on hand \u2013 Zak was best man and Chad a groomsman.<\/p>\n
Zak\u2019s speech drew peals of laughter from the guests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew Dad would meet someone else eventually,\u201d he told the room. \u201cI wasn\u2019t expecting the five kids, though!\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul\u2019s own address left him momentarily speechless.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had the notes, but they just seemed impersonal,\u201d he says. \u201cSo I started speaking about my affection towards Jo, but I was at a loss for words. I was too emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n